# Ryan Denehy

> Ryan Denehy is the New York-based founder and CEO of Electric, an IT management company for small and midsize businesses. A three-time entrepreneur, he previously co-founded businesses acquired by USA TODAY/Gannett and Groupon. He is also an investor and advisor, including at Tercera. In August 2026 he announced Electric’s relaunch around AI-powered software and distribution through payroll and HR platforms.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Electric
- **Organizations:** Electric, Swarm Mobile, BNQT Media Group / Banquet, USA TODAY / Gannett, Groupon, Tercera
- **Education:** Hofstra University
- **Known for:** Co-founded two businesses acquired by public companies: USA TODAY/Gannett and Groupon., Founded Electric, which reached a $1 billion valuation in its March 2022 financing., Led Electric’s transition from a bundled services model toward software and payroll-platform partnerships.

## Career timeline

- **Teenage years** — Produced mountain-biking films and approached brands for sponsorship.
- **2008** — BNQT, the action-sports advertising business co-founded with Rudd Davis, was acquired by USA TODAY/Gannett; Denehy later recalled a New Year’s Day 2008 sale.
- **2012** — Co-founded Swarm Mobile with Rudd Davis, developing retail analytics for small businesses.
- **2014** — Swarm Mobile was acquired by Groupon.
- **2014-2016** — Worked in operations and strategy for Groupon’s Merchant OS business.
- **2016** — Founded Electric in New York, developing the concept with Bowery Capital’s Mike Brown and Loren Straub.
- **2017** — Electric began its early commercial rollout; Denehy later described a six-week minimum viable product.
- **2022** — Electric’s March Series D-1 financing valued the company at $1 billion.
- **2023** — Began cutting costs and rebuilding Electric around software and partner distribution.
- **2025** — In a January 2026 interview, Denehy said Electric sold its legacy services business in April 2025.
- **2026** — Announced Electric’s AI-focused relaunch on August 25.

## Achievements

- Co-founded two businesses acquired by public companies: USA TODAY/Gannett and Groupon.
- Founded Electric, which reached a $1 billion valuation in its March 2022 financing.
- Led Electric’s transition from a bundled services model toward software and payroll-platform partnerships.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Electric announced on October 20 that its IT automation would be coming to Paycor customers; the integration was described as upcoming.
- **2026-08** — Denehy published his account of Electric’s rebuild and relaunch on August 25.
- **2026-08** — Discussed the rebuilt company, payroll distribution and earlier acquisitions on GTMnow on August 27.

## Links

- Website: https://electric.ai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandenehy/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/DenehyXXL
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denehyxxl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.denehy

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ryan-denehy
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25